Staff Reporter
The Free State Department of Education says it is happy with the COVID-19 health protocols being implemented at schools.
Head of department Tsoarelo Malokoane said this as schools in the province welcomed over 60 000 Grade 7 learners who resumed classes on Tuesday following a two-week break.
“We are happy with the impressive (turnout) of learners in schools around the province,” he said in a statement.
Public schools across the country were forced to close last month in a bid to slow down the spread of the coronavirus.
There were growing fears that teachers and support staff with underlying health conditions could be exposed to the virus which causes acute respiratory complications.
While learners are scientifically believed to be low risk, concerns have been raised that they could be carriers of the virus and may pass it on to elderly family members.
“In the process let us all stay safe and protect one another by observing the safety and health procedures,” Malakoane added, as he urged the learners to focus on their books and cover lost ground due to the repeated school closures.
Schools initially closed mid-March for about three months when the country went under lockdown.
Schools were then opened in a phased manner starting with Grade 12 classes on June 8.
But the spike in COVID-19 cases around the country forced the government to close all public schools last month.
Grade 12 learners resumed classes last week and other grades are expected to be phased in gradually.
Malakoane encouraged parents to work with the department in ensuring that schools are functioning and to report areas of concern to the provincial authority.
Before schools closed, about 671 teachers had reportedly contracted the disease as well as 263 learners, 24 office-based officials and 108 non-teaching staff across the Free State.